A guide to sharing your experience in writing

If you choose to send us your written experience by post or email, the questions below can help guide you, but you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to. You don’t have to answer every question – just write about the things you want to tell us about.

Tell us a little bit about your childhood

Tell us about what happened to you

If you feel comfortable doing so, tell us who abused you

Tell us if anyone knew about the abuse that you suffered

Tell us who you feel failed to protect you

Tell us what the impact of the abuse was then and now

Tell us if you have been able to access support then and now

Tell us what you would like to see changed to protect children in the future

Please remember to only share what you feel comfortable sharing. Someone else can draft on your behalf if you give consent. We do not need the names of any abusers, institutions or dates if you do not wish to share them.

Please do not worry about how you spell things, how it is structured, or the words that you use: this is your experience and your words.

Remember

What you write is not a legal statement.

Please only write what you feel comfortable sharing.

You don’t need to give us exact details of dates or places.

You don’t need to give us names of abusers or other victims unless you want to. You don’t need to send us any other documents or files.

You don’t need to tell us about the abuse you suffered unless you want to.

If writing about your experiences triggers upsetting memories and feelings, please look at the booklet Your Wellbeing which has some ideas about how you can look after yourself.

Your consent

We need to ask for your consent to use the information that you share with us. Please download the consent form and ensure you send it with your written experience.

It is important that you understand what we are asking you to agree to. If you have any questions about consent, or would like to receive a copy of the consent form by post, please contact us on writtenaccounts@iicsa.org.uk or call 0800 917 1000.